Pikes Peak: B-flat Clarinet 1
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 4
Item: 98-PC-DB1767_C1
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Description
This dramatic work follows a hiker from the base of Pikes Peak to the summit, encountering all the legend and history along the way. From the numerous reported signs of Big Foot to spectacular views, the opening embodies many different moods. An energetic section introduces small elements of America, the Beautiful before being fully realized in a powerful moment reflective of when Katharine Lee Bates reached the summit herself in 1883 and penned the words shortly thereafter. Ideal as a festival work while also perfect for directors looking for a “different kind” of patriotic piece.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1767_C1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor with an uncommon facility across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms. His works have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to school groups in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light. He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and holds the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains an active guest schedule with all-state ensembles, regional bands, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. His conducting appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and the College Band Directors Conference. He was commissioned by the University of Miami to compose music for the presidential inauguration of Dr. Julio Frenk, and his work was performed during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages captures the narrative arc of a mountain hike with genuine musical storytelling rather than surface-level tone painting. The integration of America, the Beautiful feels earned and emotional, emerging from the larger compositional arc rather than dropped in for patriotic effect. Directors tired of predictable flag-waving will find this a sophisticated alternative that still lands powerfully at the summit moment.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like a guided expedition, moving through mystery and wonder before arriving at a moment of transcendent clarity. The opening evokes the unknowable landscape and local lore, creating an exploratory mood that gradually resolves into the luminous patriotic statement. By the summit, the music captures both personal triumph and historical resonance.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 4 level seeking repertoire with genuine narrative structure and musical substance. Directors programming festivals or contests will find this work both contest-appropriate and distinctive enough to stand out. It appeals equally to groups wanting a patriotic selection that avoids cliché.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening section to establish distinct moods within the journey. Let each character or vista breathe rather than rushing through the collection of musical ideas.
- The America, the Beautiful quotation requires careful balance; bring it forward gradually as it enters, allowing the full realization to feel like a genuine arrival rather than an interruption.
- Attend to the dynamic architecture leading toward the summit. This work builds through layering and accumulation, so ensure section transitions maintain forward momentum without losing definition.
- Balance the ensemble's brass and woodwind colors during the patriotic climax to achieve the 'powerful moment' reflective of Bates's experience. Avoid letting the peak moment become generically loud.
How to use it
Program this as your festival or concert centerpiece to showcase the band's narrative musicianship and dynamic range. It works well as a closing piece on a concert program, where the powerful summit moment leaves a strong final impression. Consider pairing it with contrasting American repertoire earlier in the concert to let the Bates connection and patriotic arc feel fresh.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining momentum through multi-sectional forms with contrasting material
- Dynamic control across the full range of the ensemble, from delicate exploration to powerful climax
- Ensemble balance between woodwind and brass colors during layered textures
- Phrasing and shaping across long musical arcs that build narrative intent